Dog Articles

So How Often Is Enough?

Like many such questions there are of course several factors that affect the answer. With regard to the frequency of nail trimming, these factors can include, amongst other things:

The type of surface your dog spends most of their time on. Are they indoor mostly and only touching carpet? Outdoors on grass or dirt? Or do they go for frequent walks on asphalt or concrete?

How much time their feet actually spend on the ground. Do they spend most of their day in your arms or on the couch? Or do they get around under their own power?

What they eat. Your dogs nutritional plan, particularly the balance of certain minerals and vitamins can have an impact on the health and growth rate of your dog's nails.

Certain health conditions. Dogs can get nail bed infections, auto-immune disorders, and tumors that can affect the health and growth rate of their nails.

The Rule of Thumb

A good rule of thumb (pun definitely intended!) is that you should trim your dog's nails, or have them trimmed, as often as it takes to prevent their nails from touching the ground when they're standing (just like in the inset photo). And while this frequency will be different for each dog, the more often you do it the more accustomed to and amenable to it they will be. Especially if you start young, go slowly, and take care to avoid the nerves and blood supply to the nails. So if it's possible and practical to trim your dog's nails weekly or at least every other week, you'll likely see better results, have a much less stressed dog, and experience less stress yourself in the process.

Aim to take enough off of each nail to keep it short, yet not so much that you cut the quick (blood supply) or the nerve endings that extend just beyond the leading edge of the quick. Of course this is easier to do in dogs with clear nails then it is in those whose nails are dark. With either colored-nails though, it's important to go slowly and give your dog lots of praise and positive rewards (treats) throughout the process.

Training Your Dog To Accept Getting Their Nails Trimmed

For some great, step-by-step advice on using clicker training to get a dog to accept — and even like — nail trims, check out this helpful video. If your dog ever gets too stressed and resists the procedure, don't dig in your heels and persist but rather take a break, reassure and play with him, and try again later. Perhaps going slower and doing just one nail, or one paw, at each session.

Why You Don't Want To Let Your Dog's Nails Get Too Long

Long nails can actually be painful for your dog when they strike the pavement with each step.

Long nails can make it difficult for your dog to have a good grip as they walk along slick floors (hardwood, linoleum, etc.)

Long nails are more likely to get hung up on things and torn off. (Ouch!)

Untrimmed nails can curl and grow into your dog's skin or paw pads, resulting in an infection and pain. This is true of all nails, but especially the dewclaws.

And then there's the damage that long nails can do to your floors, furniture, and your skin.

Cutting the Nail Too Short

Should you ever cut your dog’s nails too short — which many people, including professionals, have done — you'll want to have something on hand to stop the bleeding. You can get styptic powder at any pet supply store, but if you ever catch yourself without some, cornstarch works just as well. Of course, with patience, care, and a well-acclimated dog, you’re less likely to ever need either.

Looking to keep your dog happy, healthy, and safe?

Take a look at these 10 Tips... your dog will thank you!

Please do not ask emergency or other specific medical questions about your pets in the blog comments. As an online informational resource, Preventive Vet is unable to and does not provide specific medical advice or counseling. A thorough physical exam, patient history, and an established veterinary-patient-client relationship is required to provide specific medical advice. If you are worried that your pet is having an emergency or if you have specific medical questions related to your pet’s current or chronic medical conditions, please contact or visit your veterinarian, an animal-specific poison control hotline, or your local emergency veterinary care center.

Please share your experiences and stories, your opinions and feedback about this blog, or what you've learned that you'd like to share with others.

My dog Chester is not a big fan of getting his nails clipped. I have tried to do it a few times myself but he doesn't even let me get close. I think that having someone do if for me might be a better job. That video on how to train your dog to be okay with getting their nails clipped will be really helpful. You're a lifesaver! Thanks!

Hannah Field

I think you're right Aria! My dog will not sit still when I try to cut his nails which resulted in me cutting the quick once. That terrified me and ever since I've taken him to a groomers to get it done! According to them he's an angel and one of the calmest standard poodles they have ever seen! And then I always know

My dog Ozzy wasn't a big fan of getting his nail clipped at home, so I used to get the vet clip it every time I used to visit the vet. I used to take Ozzy to the vets once every 3 months anyway (at least). So if you are not sure about how to do this then maybe leave it to the vets i.e. if you take your dog to the vets regularly. :)

Wanda martin

How far do I have to clip my dogs nails in order to not have them bleed...please let me know

Does your dog have clear nails, Wanda? If so, you should be able to see the quick, or aka, nerve/bloodline. If your dog has black nails, most of the time you will see a light brown line. That is the quick. You may not be able to see it, as it is very hard to see. All you have to do is trim the tip of your dogs nails at least 3 times a month. That way, your dogs nails will stay healthy!!!

Ok, so, I have a half English bulldog, and half shih tzu, so that makes her EXTRA stubborn! I try to trim her nails, but no matter what I do, she won't let me and she will growl and try to bite me. She ends up biting and chewing on her nails and it causes her pain. It's her problem that she is chewing her nails off because she won't let me trim them, but I don't want her to be in pain! Please help me!

After chatting with Dr. J, he says that some stressed pets may need medication for yours and your dog's safety during a nail trim. We recommend chatting with your vet about safe medications and the options available for your dog.
The next step would be to work with a local trainer/behaviorist to work on desensitizing your dog to nail trims.
I have a puppy who used to nibble at my fingers and try to hide her paws when I held her toes to trim the nail, and she's gotten much better to the point she now lets me do it!
-Stacy

Alisa Miller

Can you grind your dogs nails farther than you can clip them? Also it’s really hard to tell where the quick is on the two first nails on the front legs. I have a lab and her nails are so over grown. We started grinding them weekly you move the quick down, but it doesn’t seem to be working her nails grow really fast.
How do you know when to stop grinding on the two first nails, when there is no indication of where the quick is?

It definitely can be hard to tell, especially in dogs with dark nails. The gradual grind method can help to get some regression of the quick, so good on you for doing that. As for when to stop grinding (or clipping) the center of the nail will become progressively less dark as you approach the quick, so you want to stop frequently and look for that change. That said, it can be quite subtle in some dogs and, since the nerves tend to extend a bit further than the blood vessel there, it can still be uncomfortable for a dog even when there is no bleeding seen. If you’re unsure, or if the nails are very overgrown, it may be best to bring them to your groomer or even to your vet, where they may have to sedate your dog to get the nails back as far as possible, after which you can continue with the weekly grind to prevent future overgrowth. Best of luck.
-Dr. J